A German court ruled in favor of 3M in a patent infringement lawsuit and ordered an injunction against a dental firm there for using 3M's patented technology, the company announced Thursday.
The claim against Dental Direkt GmbH reaches back to December 2008. 3M said the company is not licensed to use 3M's tooth-color matching technology used in ceramic dental restorations. The court in Düsseldorf, Germany, agreed and also ordered Dental Direkt to reimburse 3M for its litigation costs.
While Dental Direkt could appeal and has filed an opposition against the European patent enforced by 3M, the Maplewood-based conglomerate has decided to preliminarily enforce the court's decision by providing a security bond.
The lawsuit said Dental Direkt illegally used 3M's technology when making zirconia CAD/CAM block products that are sold under the brand names DD Bio Z and DD Bio ZX translucent. The company also was accused of illegally using 3M's technology in coloring liquids sold under the brands DD Bio Z color classic and DD Bio ZX monolith Zero.
While 3M said it remains open to "licensing this technology to other interested parties," company officials have said in the past they must enforce the patents 3M receives to protect its research and development operations.
"3M is committed to improving oral care through continuous investments in research and development," the company said in a statement.
In 2013, 3M filed two patent infringement lawsuits against dental-product firms in Düsseldorf.
One lawsuit, against Metoxit AG, alleged infringement regarding coloring liquids or zirconia blocks sold under the brands Z-CAD FlowPen, Z-CAD Liquid HD and Z-CAD. 3M has settled the lawsuit, and Metoxit AG is now licensed to use the technology.
